Food for Our Souls

Through abiding with God we are being re-created. When quiet before Him, His Word reaches transforming fingers into our hearts, this inner chamber from which we live. From which thoughts and feelings emerge. He brings order into this vast restless heartland which no psychologist can reach. We find soul food by abiding in the true Vine (Jn. 15:1-17). Willing to follow in spite of distracting thoughts and feelings.

It is a journey with no perfect roadmap. It is simply a commitment to becoming more cultured by our Father on the way home. When we first fall in love with Him, we journey with Him to a lakeside bench anticipating the sunrise. Abiding begins. We speak tenderly to each other. Listening attentively. Reading carefully all verbal and non-verbal cues. Even enjoying the silence. Our communication extends to all levels and involves our entire being. We read each other, not for information alone. But, attentively for relationship. Heart waiting, like a moist field receiving life-giving seed. In love, we receive and then slowly meditate upon the Word He gives. Then we respond to Him wholeheartedly, right-mindedly, entire soul and strength. Awaiting insight, love, formation and direction. Letting the relationship unfold through times of adoration, confession, thanksgiving and intercession. Before long, as we all know, the journey gets complicated because life intrudes.

Abba, how I long to know Your Presence in every moment, and to sense Your nearness even in the busiest seasons of my life. Yet, I allow the pressures, the concerns and the urgency of the day to consume my mind and heart. Teach me to rest in You as You transform me from the inside out. Help me to pause long enough to listen to You in the silence and to see You in the beauty of Your creation. Show me how to respond to Your voice as You tenderly speak my name and visit me in the stillness…simply to tell me how much You love me. Let me rest in the shadow of Your wings so that all of my activity is done from a fully submitted heart.

Praise God, who is the creator of both rich and poor. Thank him for giving you the ability to produce wealth (Deut. 8:18). Confess any time you have put your trust in your earthly possessions rather than in the spiritual riches of God (8:13-14). Commit yourself to living contentedly with all that God has provided. Ask him to give you a generous heart toward those who have less.

Pray that God will meet physical and financial needs among your family members and friends. Pray for opportunities to give what you can to meet their need.

Prayer Pointer

“If I could hear Christ praying for me in the next room, I would not fear a million enemies. Yet distance makes no difference. He is praying for me.” —Robert Murray McCheyne